LPNs not utilized as they should be

By Debbie Burke

Published: Monday, April 28, 2014 at 11:44 AM.

To the editor:

I am a licensed practical nurse and have been for 21 years; so I want to clarify to some out there that an LPN is a real nurse. I received my education from the state of Minnesota and have held licenses in California and here in North Carolina, where my license is current.

I happened to see a registered nurse whom I had worked with at the Naval Hospital’s emergency room many years ago, and she is currently working at a civilian hospital here in Jacksonville. I asked her if this particular hospital is hiring LPNs and she stated, “No, we get real busy.”

Really? So it’s not too “busy” for certified nursing assistants or patient care technicians? I guess that a LPN can’t handle busy. Hmm...

I am proud to say that I have worked at a major chest-pain emergency room in San Diego, where I obtained my Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification. And, yes, to all of you — especially the RNs who are scratching their heads and wondering how did she do that — I did it just like the rest of you.

I have seen jobs for medical assistants in doctors’ offices, but rarely do I see anything for an LPN except for long-term care facilities or home health. Not every LPN who graduates wants to work in a nursing home.

I think it is a shame that LPNs are not utilized as they should be. I am a licensed practical nurse and proud of it!

I am a licensed practical nurse and have been for 21 years; so I want to clarify to some out there that an LPN is a real nurse. I received my education from the state of Minnesota and have held licenses in California and here in North Carolina, where my license is current.

I happened to see a registered nurse whom I had worked with at the Naval Hospital’s emergency room many years ago, and she is currently working at a civilian hospital here in Jacksonville. I asked her if this particular hospital is hiring LPNs and she stated, “No, we get real busy.”

Really? So it’s not too “busy” for certified nursing assistants or patient care technicians? I guess that a LPN can’t handle busy. Hmm...

I am proud to say that I have worked at a major chest-pain emergency room in San Diego, where I obtained my Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification. And, yes, to all of you — especially the RNs who are scratching their heads and wondering how did she do that — I did it just like the rest of you.

I have seen jobs for medical assistants in doctors’ offices, but rarely do I see anything for an LPN except for long-term care facilities or home health. Not every LPN who graduates wants to work in a nursing home.

I think it is a shame that LPNs are not utilized as they should be. I am a licensed practical nurse and proud of it!